BYU Gymnastics Scores Season-High in Tucson

The BYU women's gymnastics team received a season-best 195.300. (Photo by Mark Philbrick/BYU Photo)

PROVO -- The BYU women’s gymnastics team (12-5-2) set a new season-high of 195.300 in Tucson on Friday. Unfortunately for the Cougars, the Arizona Wildcats also posted a season-high 195.625 but BYU was able to come out on top of both University of New Hampshire and Texas Woman’s University.

“We had an exceptionally good night on bars,” BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said. “We were solid overall and we’re looking forward to getting home to compete against Utah on senior night.”

The Cougars started the meet on bars and were able to receive three 9.800s or higher. Natalie Eyre led the way with a 9.850. Eyre did not score lower than a 9.800 and the solid bar routine was just the beginning of a career-night for Eyre. Raquel Willman and Haylee Rollins followed closely behind, scoring a 9.825 and a 9.800, respectively.

"I feel like we had a good time vibe and we had some real fun out there tonight," Eyre said. "If we just keep it up we'll be in great position for regionals."

Next up for the Cougars was the balance beam, an event that has caused BYU some problems of late. The Cougars did not receive their highest scores of the season and the event was their lowest scoring event of the night but BYU was able to avoid counting a fall. Once again, Eyre gave the Cougars their highest score on the event with a 9.800.

On floor exercise, BYU was the model of consistency, scoring all scores between 9.700 and 9.775. The three 9.775s were received by Megan Bain, Rollins and senior captain Jessica Villegas.

On their final apparatus, the Cougars received their highest score of the night with a 49.100. Eyre finished a near-perfect meet with a career-high of 9.925 to lead BYU. KayCee Gassaway also tied a career-best 9.875 while Haylee Rollins added a solid 9.850.

The Cougars will next face the University of Utah at home on Mar. 18 at home in the Marriott Center at 7 p.m. The meet will be broadcast on BYUtv. Tickets are available for purchase on byutickets.com or one hour prior to the event in the Marriott Center box office.